doily

American  

[doi-lee] / ˈdɔɪ li /

Or doyley

noun

plural

doilies

1. any small, ornamental mat, as of embroidery or lace.

2. Archaic. a small napkin, as one used during a dessert course.

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doily British  

/ ˈdɔɪlɪ /

noun

1. a decorative mat of lace or lacelike paper, etc, laid on or under plates

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Etymology

Origin of doily

First recorded in 1670–80; named after a London draper of the late 17th century

Explanation

A doily is a decorative piece of cloth or paper that's used on a fancy table, often under a bowl. If your mom's birthday breakfast spread doesn't look festive enough, you can dress it up with some doilies. Some doilies are made of lace, while paper doilies are patterned and cut to resemble lace. You might see a doily underneath a cake, or separating a cup of fruit from the saucer beneath it. The word doily comes from Doiley, the last name of a well-known London dry goods dealer in the 17th century. Originally, the word was an adjective describing suits or fabric, and later, from doily-napkin came the doily we know today.

Example Sentences

The famous Doily is still fresh in every one's Memory, who raised a Fortune by finding out Materials for such Stuffs as might at once be cheap and genteel.

From The Spectator, Volume 2. by Addison, Joseph

Lord Robert and Lord Edward for instance were ill; Ned Foley and his brother-in-law, out of town; Lord Howe and Doily not in the House, with more that do not occur to me.

From George Selwyn: His Letters and His Life by Roscoe, E. S.

Doily has a new hair ribbon like the red one I have bought for Susie—both are in my lap.

From Big and Little Sisters by Jenness, Theodora R.

Then he read two more letters, one from a manufacturer of vacuum cleaners and one from the president of the Great Northern Doily Company.

From The Beautiful and Damned by Fitzgerald, F. Scott (Francis Scott)

Related Words

• cloth
• towel